Music publishers have joined the growing list of companies suing Google and YouTube over copyright infringement. The National Music Publishers' Association, the largest music-publishing association in the U.S. with over 600 members, added itself to the suit originally filed in May in Manhattan federal court by English soccer's The Football Association Premier League Ltd.
The complaint alleges YouTube, with "the knowing encouragement and complicity of" parent Google, facilitated massive infringements of music videos, concert footage and more. The growing class-action lawsuit comes as YouTube is facing a similar 1 billion suit from Viacom.
The decision by music publishers to sue Google and YouTube rather than negotiate a licensing deal for viral video distribution rights marks a stark contrast to the major record labels, reported The NY Post. Labels like Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group and EMI have all entered into licensing deals with YouTube in exchange for participation in YouTube's revenues, and reportedly for some, a small equity stake in YouTube.
